The international optical company ZEISS Group, which has its North American East Coast headquarters at One North Broadway in White Plains on Dec. 11 began celebrating 100 years of operation in the U.S. The company’s roots trace back to 1846 when, in Jena, Germany, Carl Zeiss opened a workshop specializing in optics and precision mechanical work.
ZEISS’ U.S. operations began in Manhattan in 1925 and now have grown to include about 3,500 employees in more than 20 locations in the U.S.
ZEISS is perhaps best known to the most people for its camera lenses, used not only by professionals but on consumer cameras as well. The company also offers a line of binoculars. In 1969, a ZEISS lens was on the camera used by the Apollo 11 astronauts to record the first manned landing on the moon. The company also supplies complete systems for planetariums, including digital and analog planetarium projectors. ZEISS technology was used to develop the Mars rover Perseverance, helping NASA further explore the distant red planet.
“The development of ZEISS in the U.S. is a true success story. That’s why we’re quite proud to look back on the past 100 years and what we have achieved together,” said Andreas Pecher, president and CEO of ZEISS Group.
ZEISS lenses have been used on the cameras of such renowned photographers as Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, and fashion photographer Douglas Dubler. They’ve been honored with Academy Awards for their technical excellence and have been used to film countless award-winning motion pictures. They’re even found on the video cameras used by Westfair’s Westchester County Business Journal.
“Looking back on 100 years in the U.S., our innovation has helped tell some of the most iconic stories in Hollywood,” said Jean Marc Bouchut, director of sales ZEISS North America Cinematography. “We are excited to inspire future generations of artists as they continue to push the boundaries of imaginative storytelling.”
ZEISS Microscopy, also in White Plains, manufactures optical, electron and X-ray microscopes.
“ZEISS has enabled scientists to see more, which empowers humanity to know more. Our partnerships in the United States reflect our commitment to transforming curiosity into meaningful discovery,” said Brian Svedberg, president of ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions North America. “We are proud to stand in support of the scientific community as they push the boundaries of knowledge and drive progress that benefits us all.”
ZEISS also is involved in technologies used in semiconductor manufacturing, including photolithography that is used to create integrated circuits.
“For a century, ZEISS has advanced the way Americans see the world — from pioneering precision optics to redefining what’s possible in eye care,” said Gary Rosenblum, president and CEO of Carl Zeiss Vision USA. “Our innovations in vision technology have improved lives, empowered eye care professionals, and set new standards for optical quality and protection. As we celebrate 100 years in the U.S., we’re proud to continue shaping the future of vision with the same purpose and passion that brought us here.”
